|
|
Kenya: Danger Lurks in Hurried Resettlement
 |
|
|||||||||
|
||||||||||
Business Daily (Nairobi)
COLUMN
12 May 2008
Posted to the web 12 May 2008
Norman Mudibo
Our brothers and sisters are spending desolate nights of bitterness and loss occasioned by the post-election violence. There are renewed fears by some of the displaced over the recent move by the government to resettle them.
Some are celebrating the prospect of returning home while others would rather be in that pitiable state in the camps.
The atmosphere in the camps is divided between sullen frustration and relief at the prospects of returning home. A widow appeared on television, face swollen, tears rolling, narrating her late husband's ordeal at the hands of once 'good neighbours'.
She was uncomfortable with the resettlement talk; feared for her life at the prospect of going back to what was once her abode, wondering why it was imperative that she return home.
Her concerns were that her family's tormentors would stop at nothing this time round.
The woman was one of the many internally displaced persons whose concerns appear drowned in the cacophony of the government's sheer determination to see them return home.
These are genuine concerns and the government which appears to be hurriedly undertaking this delicate process, should heed their calls. Why can't the government officials tasked with the resettlement put in place proper plans and logistics, promote genuine dialogue between the warring factions? What's the hurry for?
Ultimatums will only breed more resentment; peace will become elusive. There is the impression that the IDPs are in agreement that they should go back home. Far from it.
It is not just enough to give promises of security and deploying security personnel for a while.
This situation requires more groundwork of peace building targeted at changing mindsets.
That is no easy task as it takes time and wisdom. You cannot expect me to go and face people who may still harbour hatred against me. You cannot expect me to just assume that because our leaders signed an accord, then all is well.
The people are unsure of their security. It is human nature. A scenario of once bitten, twice shy. Listen to their cries and act accordingly to forestall a boomerang effect on the whole process.
The resettlement exercise is likely to backfire if the government insists that it has to work out just for the sake of ensuring that this national shame is erased completely.
|
Mudibo is a media manager with Tell-EM Public Relations (EA) Ltd.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Copyright © 2008 Business Daily. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Make allAfrica.com your home page | RSS Feed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top | Site Guide | Who We Are | Advertising | Search | Subscribe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Questions or Comments? Contact us. Read our Privacy Statement. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
